nd discovers a tableau, representing the
three conspirators receiving the bribe from the emissaries of
France._

Linger your patience on; and well digest
The abuse of distance, while we force a play.[6]
The sum is paid; the traitors are agreed;
The king is set from London; and the scene
Is now transported, gentles, to Southampton,--
There is the playhouse now, there must you sit:
And thence to France shall we convey you safe,
And bring you back, charming the narrow seas
To give you gentle pass; for, if we may,
We'll not offend one stomach[7] with our play.
But, till the king come forth, and not till then,[8]
Unto Southampton do we shift our scene.

[_Exit._

[Footnote IIc.1: _----which +he+ fills_] i.e., the King of
France.]

[Footnote IIc.2: _----Richard, earl of Cambridge;_] Was Richard de
Coninsbury, younger son of Edmund of Langley, Duke of York. He was
father of Richard, Duke of York, father of Edward the Fourth.]

[Footnote IIc.3: _Henry lord Scroop of Masham,_] Was third husband
of Joan Duchess of York (she had four), mother-in-law of Richard,
Earl of Cambridge.]

[Footnote IIc.4: _----the +gilt+ of France,_] i.e., _golden
money_.]

[Footnote IIc.5: _----this grace of kings_] i.e., he who does the
greatest honor to the title. By the same phraseology the usurper
in _Hamlet_ is called the _vice of kings_, i.e., the opprobrium of
them.]

[Footnote IIc.6: _----while we +force a play+._] To _force a play_
is to produce a play by compelling many circumstances into a
narrow compass.]

[Footnote IIc.7: _We'll not offend one stomach_] That is, you
shall pass the sea without the qualms of sea-sickness.]

[Footnote IIc.8: _But, till the king come forth, and not till
then,_] The meaning is, "We will not shift our scene unto
Southampton till the king makes his appearance on the stage, and
the scene will be at Southampton _only_ for the short time while
he does appear on the stage; for, soon after his appearance, it
will change to France." --MALONE.]

ACT II.

SCENE I.--COUNCIL CHAMBER IN SOUTHAMPTON CASTLE.

_EXETER, BEDFORD, and WESTMORELAND, discovered._

_Bed._ 'Fore Heaven, his grace is bold, to trust these traitors.

_Exe._ They shall be apprehended by and by.

_West._ How smooth and even they do bear themselves!
As if allegiance in their b